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 Swedish massage is the most commonly offered and best known type of massage. It was developed by a Swedish physiologist, Henri Peter Ling at the University of Stockholm in 1812. It uses a firm but gentle pressue to improve the circulation, ease muscle aches and tension, improve flexibility and create relaxation.
The therapist generally uses massage oil to facilitate making long, smooth strokes over the body. Swedish massage is done with the person covered by a sheet, a technique called "draping". One part of the body uncovered, massaged, and then covered up before moving on to another part of the body.
Swedish massage is the foundation for other types of Western massage, including sports, deep tissue and aromatherapy |
 Aromatherapy massage is massage but with highly concentrated plant oils, called essential oils, added to the massage oil or lotion.
The nostrils are attached to a part of the brain called the limbic system. The limbic system controls emotions and influences the nervous system and hormones.
When you inhale essential oil molecules, messages are transmitted to the limbic system and affect heart rate, stress level, blood pressure, breathing, memory, digestion, and the immune system.
Essential oils are also absorbed through the skin.
Each essential oil has different healing properties. For example, some calm while others energize. Here are some widely used essential oils and their properties:
- calming – chamomile, lavender, geranium
- uplifting – ylang ylang, clary sage, rose, neroli
- energizing – rosemary
- cleansing – rosemary
- decongesting – eucalyptus, pine, tea tree
Aromatherapy massage is particularly suited to conditions involving stress or improving emotionally-related conditions.
- Stress and stress-related conditions such as insomnia
- Headache
- Digestive disorders
- Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
- Back pain
After the consultation, one or more essential oils are selected based on what you need and are mixed in with the massage oil or lotion.
The subtle aroma of the essential oils fill the air around you during the massage.
After the massage, the massage therapist may suggest a blend that you can use at home in between massage treatments.
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 Reflexology, which has its roots in ancient Egypt, according to cave paintings, works on the principle that every organ and system of the body has a corresponding point or zone in the feet. For example, the spot in the centre of the big toe corresponds to the pituitary gland, and on the ball of the foot underneath the big toe there is a point that corresponds to the thyroid and parathyroid glands.
A reflexology practitioner uses light pressure to massage each of the points in the toes, feet and ankles to release tension, remove energy blockages, disperse accumulations of calcium and uric acid, stimulate blood circulation and promote healing of both body and mind.
The practitioner will begin by taking details of the client’s medical history and lifestyle. The client will be asked to remove only their footwear. The client, fully clothed apart from their feet, will lie on a massage couch whilst the practitioner works on their feet and ankles.
Gentle pressure is applied to each pressure point and, where there are corresponding physical problems, the client may experience some slight discomfort and/or the therapist may feel some blockages in the area. For example, when the practitioner touches the reflex point that corresponds to the gall bladder, if the client has a problem with that organ, then some discomfort may be felt in the foot.
Generally, most clients report that a reflexology treatment is wonderfully relaxing and soothing, and many people fall asleep. Each session will last about an hour and, in most cases, a series of sessions are necessary to resolve any problems. Some clients book a regularly weekly or monthly session as a preventative measure, to keep their systems balanced and in good working order. |
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